Method for introducing halogen into benzimidazole and imidazopyridine compounds

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a process for the introduction of a nucleophilic moiety into a benzimidazole or imidazo(4,5-b or c)pyridiine ring, which comprises treating a derivative of the corresponding 1-hydroxybenzimidazole or -imidazo(4,5-b or c)pyridine with a nucleophilic reagent. The process can also be used to reduce the 1-hydroxybenzimidazole or -imidazo(4,5-b or c)pyridine.

United States Patent 1191 .ODoherty Apr. 1, 1975 METHOD FOR INTRODUCING HALOGEN [56] References Cited INTO BENZIMIDAZOLE AND UNITED STATES PATENTS IMIDAZOPYRIDINE COMPOUNDS 3,806,514 4/1974 Hannah et a]. 260/3092 [75] Inventor; George 0, P, O'Dohefly, Greenfield, 3,813,407 5/1974 ODoherty 260/294.8 C [m 3,813,408 5/1974 ODoherty 260 296 H [73] Assignee: Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Examiner Alan L Rotman Attorney, Agent, or FirmEveret F. Smith; Joseph A. [22] Filed: Dec. 13, 1972 Jones 211 App]. No.: 314,882 ABSTRACT f' q Apphcamm Data The present invention is a process for the introduction Conmwzmon-III-P?"t of Sci 02266. of a nucleophilic moiety into a benzimidazole or 1970* 1 imidazo (4,5-b or c) pyridine ring, which comprises treating a derivative of the corresponding 1- [52] U.S. Cl. 260/294.8 C, 260/295 F, 260/296 H, hydroxybenzimidazole or -imidazo(4,5-b or c) pyri- 260/3092, 71/92, 424/263, 424/273 dine with a nucleophilic reagent. The process can also 1511 Int. Cl. c070 49/38, C07d 31/42 be used to reduce the Lhydroxybemimidamle or [58] Field 6: Search 260/294.8 c, 295 F, 296 11, imidazo(4 or c) pyriding 4 Claims, No Drawings METHOD FOR INTRODUCING HALOGEN INTO BENZIMIDAZOLE AND IMIDAZOPYRIDINE COMPOUNDS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 102,266, filed Dec. 28, 1970 and abandoned after the filing of present application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the last decade, considerable research attention has been given to benzimidazole and imidazo (4,5-b and c)-pyridine compounds, particularly those bearing a Z-(trifluoromethyl) group. These compounds, in general, exhibit herbicidal activity; some of the benzimidazole compounds also exhibit insecticidal activity. However, owing to the presence of the trifluoromethyl group, and any electron-withdrawing substitutions on the benzene or pyridine ring, the electrophilic substitution of the benzene or pyridine portion of the ring system has not been feasible. Also, there has hitherto been no technique for the reduction of optimally substituted l-hydroxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzimidazole and 1- hydroxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo(4,5-b or c)pyridine compounds to the corresponding desoxy compounds.

The present process presents a technique for nucleophilic substitution of the benzene or pyridine ring, and for reduction to the corresponding desoxy compound, by reacting a derivative of the corresponding 1- hydroxybenzimidazole. or l-hydroxyimidazo(4,5-b or c)pyridine with a nucleophilic reagent. The lderivative can be an ether or an ester, including a carbamate or sulfonate ester, or the unstable derivative formed in situ by the reaction of the corresponding 1- hydroxybenzimidazole or 1-hydroxyimidazo(4,5-b or c)pyridine with a halide, oxyhalide, thiohalide, oxide or sulfide of an element of Group VA of the Periodic Table of atomic weight from 30 to 122, both inclusive; or a halide, oxyhalide, or oxide of sulfur.

The reaction results in loss of the entire l-substituent group and introduction of the nucleophilic moiety into the benzene ring, or, in some cases, the reaction results in reduction to the corresponding desoxy compound.

In the instance of either reduction or introduction of the nucleophilic moiety, the products are useful, in accordance with prior teachings, as herbicides, and, in the case of some of the benzimidazole compounds, as insecticides. See Belgium Pat. Nos. 676,952 and 732,415, regarding benzimidazoles, and US. Pat. No. 3,459,759, regarding imidazo(4,5-b or c) pyridines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The process of the present invention is useful generally for the introduction of a nucleophilic moiety into the benzene or pyridine ring of a benzimidazole or imidazo-(4,5-b or c)pyridine. It is not necessary that the compound bear a 2-CF group or other a, a-difluorinated compound. Nor is the presence, or, if present, identity of substituents on the benzene or pyridine ring critical so long as one vacant position remains. It is necessary, however, that the compound bear a lsubstituent group which will constitute a leaving group" under the conditions of reaction. Thus far, only ethers, esters and the unstable derivatives identified hereinabove have been found to be adequate leaving groups.

Preferred compounds with which the present process is carried out are those defined as follows:

In the above and succeeding formulae throughout the present specification and claims,

R represents hydrogen, chloro, fluoro, perfluoroalkyl of C -C or radical of the formula 3. cycloalkyl of C C 4. benzyl;

5. phenethyl;

6. alkanoyl of C -C 7. alkenoyl of C -C 8. carbamoyl of the formula ll R wherein X represents oxygen or sulfur; and one R represents phenyl, loweralkyl of C,C or loweralkenyl of C -C and the other R represents hydrogen, loweralkyl of C -C or loweralkenyl of C -C subject to the limitation that both R' moieties taken together do not contain more than six carbon atoms; or both R moieties taken together represent straight-chain alkylene of C -C both inclusive;

9. radical of the formula 3 wherein R represents methylene, ethylene, or vinylene, and q represents or 1;

l0. -SO R wherein R is loweralkyl as above defined, cycloalkyl of C -C phenyl, substituted phenyl as above defined, or benzyl;

1 1. tetrahydro-Z-pyranyl; or

12. radical of the formulae I dl-X-loweralkyl O C X wherein X, as above, is oxygen or sulfur;

each R independently represents halo;

each R independently represents nitro, CF CF Cl, or CF I-I;-

R represents cyano or loweralkylsulfonyl of C -C m represents an integer of from 0 to 3, both inclusive;

n represents an integer of from 0 to 2, both inclusive;

r represents 0 or 1;

and the sum of m, n, and r is an integer of from 0 to 3 both inclusive; and

each R represents halogen, nitro, CF CF C1, CF H, or loweralkylsulfonyl of C -C subject to the limitation that not more than one R represents nitro, CF CF CI, CF H', or loweralkylsulfonyl as defined.

The term nucleophilic reagent is used herein to refer both to a compound which itself serves as nucleophilic moiety, e.g., a primary organic amine, as well as a compound which merely incudes a nucleophilic moiety, as HCl includes Cl. In general, suitable nucleophilic reagents are compounds which will supply a halide ion, such as iodide, bromide, chloride, or fluoride; compounds which will supply a sulfide ion; and amines, including ammonia and primary and secondary organic amines. The halide ion can be that in a halogen acid; it can be that in any of the compounds used in deriving the unstable halides, oxyhalides, or thiohalides described above; or it can be the halide of an oxalyl halide or phosgene. The identity of the amine is not critical, except that it be basic in nature. Generally, an amine of a dissociation constant of 10' or greater is of adequate basicity, though reaction may be somewhat slower in the case of sterically hindered amines or amines comprising bulky groups. Thus, representative nucleophilic reagents to be employed in the process of the present invention include l-ICl, HBr, HI, HF, lithium chloride, phosphorus oxychloride, phosphorus oxybromide, phosphorus thiochloride, phosphorus trichloride, phosphorus tribromide, phosphorus oxyfluoride, phosphorus pentasulfide, antimony pentachloride, antimony oxychloride, arsenic tribromide, thionyl chloride, thionyl bromide, ammonium chloride, ammonium bromide, ammonium fluoride, ammonium iodide, methylamine, diethylamine, n-octylamine, tertbutylamine, allylamine, propynylamine, cyclohexylamine, cyclopentylamine, aziridine, aniline, 2- naphthylamine, 2-cyclohexylethylamine, benzylamine, p-chlorobenzylamine, piperidine, hexahydroazepine,

or C -C or 4 1 ,2,3 ,4,-tetrahydroquinoline, and decahydronaphthylamine.

decahydroisoquinoline,

' cordance with the present process.

Where the l-derivative is that obtained by reaction of the corresponding hydroxy compound with a halide, oxyhalide, or thiohalide of an element of Group VA of the Periodic Table of atomic weight from 30 to 122, both inclusive, or with a halide or oxyhalide of sulfur, that compound itself provides the halide serving as nucleophilic moiety. The reaction course is therefore one of rearrangement where the halide is chloride or fluoride; or reduction where the halide is bromide or iodide. Where the l-derivative is that obtained by reaction of the corresponding l-hydroxy compound with a sulfide of the Group VA element (as defined), reduction occurs. In the case of the oxides, for example, the phosphorus or sulfur oxides, reaction serves only to convert the l-hydroxy into an acceptable leaving group, it being necessary to supply a separate nucleophilic reagent in which case the reaction proceeds in accordance with the identity of the nucleophilic moiety supplied.

The mechanism of the present process is not known with certainty. However, it is believed that the first step in the overall sequence is the formation of a noncharged compound comprising as its imidazole portion the following structure:

/ 2 N nucleophilic moiety To date, it has not been possible to isolate this compound. It is conjectured that where the nucleophilic moiety is bromide or iodide, the compound itself acts as a nucelophilic reagent, attacking solvents or other molecules of the same compound, resulting in reduction. Alternatively, the mechanism may be that of dehalogenation, likewise resulting in reduction. In the alternate course of reaction leading to rearrangement, it is believed that there is charge migration within the ring system of the conjectured intermediate, resulting in attack of a second nucleophilic moiety at the position on the benzene or pyridine ring of greatest charge density. The overall reaction scheme can be illustrated as follows, shown for unsubstituted benzimidazole in order to simplify the portrayal. Y represents a nucleophilic moiety.

I N /N CFz-R -cF2-R l Y rearrangement N CFz-R Y X /N CFz-R 1 CFz-R Y Irrespective of the precise mechanism, however, the reaction represents a singularly useful synthetic technique. Although in some cases, two products--one the result of rearrangement, the other, of simple reductionhave been obtained, in general only one product is obtained, and it is obtained in good yield.

The reaction conditions are not critical. In general, the starting l-hydroxy derivative:

reduc Ion furan; hydrocarbons; and acetone. In the case where a Group VA (as defined) or sulfur oxyhalide is employed as nucleophile, use of a small amount of dimethylformamide, to constitute a Vilsmeier-Haack reagent, is preferred. The reaction goes forward under a wide range of temperatures, such as from 0 to Generally, however, there is no advantage to the use of temperatures other than room temperatures. The reaction consumes the l-hydroxy derivative and the nucleophilic reagent in amounts representing equimolecular proportions. Separation, and if desired, purification, are carried out in conventional procedures.

In some cases, the reaction yields product as an imidazolium salt of the nucleophilic reagent involved:

The salt is readily converted back to the imidazole in conventional procedures.

The following examples illustrate the process of the present invention and will enable those skilled in the art to practice the same.

EXAMPLE I: PREPARATION OF 6-CHLORO-2-(TRIFLUOROMETHYL)-1H- IMIDAZO(4,5-b)PYRIDINE Dimethylformamide (2 milliliters) was added to 4 grams of 1-hydroxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)-IH- imidazo(4,5-b)pyridine in 10 milliliters of thionyl chloride. The resulting reaction mixture was heated on a steam bath overnight. Solvent was removed and the residue shaken with 50 milliliters of water and filtered. The residue was then taken up in sodium hydroxide, filtered and acidified to ph3, shaken with three 150- milliliter portions of diethyl ether, and dried over magnesium sulfate. Solvent was evaporated, yielding the desired 6-chl0ro-2-(trifluoromethyl)- l H-imidazo( 4,5- b)pyridine, m.p., 290-2C., with sublimation from 260C.

US. Pat. No. 3,459,759 identifies this same substance as melting at 293C. In addition, the product obtained as described in this example was subjected to NMR, LR, and T.L.C., along with a portion of the same compound prepared as described in the same US. patent. Both samples were essentially identical in all of the analyses.

EXAMPLE 2: PREPARATION OF ,6-DICHLORO-Z-(TRIFLUOROMETHYL)-1H- IMlDAZO(4,5-b)PYRIDINE 1-(methylcarbamoyloxy)-6-chloro-2- (trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazo(4,5-b)pyridine (250 milligrams) in 2.5 milliliters of methanol was saturated with HCl. The reaction mixture was permitted to stand for three hours, then poured into water and filtered to separate the desired 5,6-dichloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)- 1H-imidazo(4,5-b)pyridine, m.p., 22830C.

EXAMPLE 3: PREPARATION OF 5-AMINO-6-CI-ILORO-2-(TRIFLUOROMETHYL)- 1H-lMIDAZO(4,5-b)PYRIDINE l-Methoxy-6-chloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1H- imidazo-(4,5-b)pyridine (1 gram; 0.004 mole) was dissolved in milliliters of methanol and 2 milliliters of ammonium hydroxide (d 0.880) added. The reaction mixture was permitted to stand for 16 hours, then solvents were removed and the residue crystallized from benzene/acetone, m.p., 2424C. (0.6 gram; about 63 percent yield).

Analysis, Calc.: C, 35,53; H, 1.70; N, 23.68.

Found: C, 35.58; H, 1.83; N, 23.43.

EXAMPLE 4: PREPARATION OF 5 ,6-DlCHLORO-2-(TRIFLUOROMETHYL)-1H- IMIDAZO(4,5-b)PYRIDINE imidazo-(4,5-b)pyridine (100 milligrams) was mixed with 10 milliliters of thionyl chloride and the mixture refluxed on a steam bath for 10 hours. The thionyl chloride was then evaporated and the residue, the desired 5,6-dichloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1H- imidazo(4,5-b)pyridine product, was shaken with water and separated by filtration, m.p., 22224C.

EXAMPLE 5: PREPARATION OF 6-CHLORO-2-(TRIFLUOROMETHYL)-lI-I- IMIDAZO(4,5-b)PYRIDINE l-( Methylsulfonyloxy )-6-chloro-2( trifluoromethyl lH-imidazo(4,5-b)pyridine milligrams) in 0.5 milliliter of acetone was treated with 0.1 gram of sodium iodide in 0.5 milliliter of acetone. The reaction mixture was shaken with ether and bicarbonate solution. The ether portion was dried over magnesium sulfate and evaporated, yielding 10 milligrams (about 73 percent) of 6-chloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-III-imidazo(4,5- b)pyridine.

EXAM PLE 6 The same compound prepared as reported in the preceding example was also prepared by reduction with P S In this preparation, 1.3 grams of 1-hydroxy-6- chloro-2-( trifluoromethyl)- l H-imidazo( 4 ,5-b )pyridine and 1.3 grams of P S in 10 milliliters of tetrahydrofuran were stirred for 16 hours. The reaction mixture was then filtered and evaporated. The residue was shaken with 2 percent sodium hydroxide, filtered and acidified. A white solid precipitated and was separated. l.R. showed it to be 6-chloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-lH- imidazo(4,5-b)pyridine.

EXAMPLE 7: PREPARATION OF 4,5,6-TRlCHLORO-2-(TRIFLUOROMETHYL)- BENZIMIDAZOLE 1-( Methylsulfonyloxy)-5 ,6-dichloro-2(trifluoromethyl)benzimidazole (1 gram) in 10 milliliters of methanol was saturated with HCl gas. The reaction appeared to be complete in 15 minutes, and the solvent was then evaporated to obtain 4,5,6-trichloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzimidazole methylsulfonate salt as a residue. It was recrystallized from chloroform, m.p., l64-5C.

Analysis, Calc.: C, 28.20; H, 1.57; N, 7.31.

Found: C, 28.49; H, 1.88; N, 7.29.

The substance was then taken up in sodium hydroxide,

15 converting it to the free 4,5,6-trichloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzimidazole. It was extracted with methylene chloride. The residue on evaporation of solvent (m.p., 222-3C.) was further identified by comparison (I.R., NMR and T.L.C.) with an authentic sample.

EXAMPLE 8: REDUCTION OF l-( METHYLCARBAMOYLOXY )-5 ,6- DICHLORO- Z-(TRIFLUOROMETHYL)BENZIMIDAZOLE l-IBr was passed into a cooled (05C.) solution of 1.05 grams of 1-(methylcarbamoyloxy)-5,6-dichloro-2- (trifluoromethyl)benzimidazole in 40 milliliters of methanol. The reaction mixture was permitted to stand for 20 minutes, then evaporated to obtain as a residue 5,6-dichloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzimidazole. After recrystallization from chloroform, it melted at 233-5C.

EXAMPLE 9: PREPARATION OF 7-CHLORO-4,6-DINITRO-Z-(TRIFLUOROME- TI-IYL)BENZIMIDAZOLE EXAMPLE l0: PREPARATION OF 5-tert-BUTYLAMINO-6-CHLORO-2- (TRIFLUOROMETHYL)-1H-IMIDAZO(4,5-

b)PYRIDINE 1-Methoxy-6-chloro 2-(trifluoromethyl)- 1H- imidazo-(4,5-b)pyridine (2.0 grams) was mixed with tert-butylamine (5 milliliters) in 10 milliliters of diethyl ether. The reaction mixture was permitted to stand for 8 days; then solvent was evaporated and the residue taken up in 8 milliliters of chloroform, permitted to stand for 2 hours, and filtered to separate the desired 5-tert-butylamino-6-chloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1H- imidazo(4,5-b)pyridine, m.p., 2524C.

Analysis, Calc.: C, 45.25; H, 4.12; N, 19.20.

Found: C, 45.25; H, 4.23; N, 19.23.

EXAMPLES l l-l2 In accordance with the foregoing teachings, lhydroxy-4-chloro-6-nitro-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzimidazole was reacted with thionyl chloride, resulting in introduction of a -chloro substituent.

Also, 6-chloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1l-l-imidazo(4.5- b)-pyridine was prepared by reduction of 1-hydroxy-6- chloro-Z-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazo(4,5-b)pyridine with thionyl bromide.

As noted hereinabove by reference to prior art patents, all of the compounds prepared by the process of the present invention are useful as herbicides, and some of the compounds (see especially Belgium Pat. No. 732,415) are useful as insecticides. In addition, those of the products of the present process wherein chlorine or fluorine is introduced can be reacted further to introduce yet other groups, e.g., amino groups. Similarly, an introduced amino group will undergo further reaction. Those products which are of the following formula alipha'l-lc amino (preferably con- H raining from 2-15, bo+h lnclusi ve, carbon atoms) N02 1 CFz-R N the formula H-C-CF2-'R The reaction is believed to go through several intermediates which are not isolatable, but yields as product the desired corresponding l-hydroxybenzimidazole or 1H-imidazo(4,5-b or c)pyridine compound. The reaction conditions are not critical; however, it is generally preferred to employ as reducing agent two moles of hydrogen per mole of the nitropyridineamine, in the presence of a minor amount of a catalyst comprising a noble metal, preferably palladium. In a representative synthesis, 1-hydroxy-6-chloro-2-(trifluoromethyl 1 1-1- imidazo-(4,5-b)pyridine was prepared as follows:

5-Chloro-3 -nitro-2-( trifl uoroacetamido )pyridine (2.0 grams) was hydrogenated with two mole equivalents of hydrogen in ethanol containing 0.5 gram of 5 percent palladium on carbon. The resulting reaction mixture was filtered and evaporated to separate the desired 6-chloro-1-hydroxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)- ll-limidazo(4,5-b)pyridine compound which, after recrystallization from benzene, melted at 268-70C.

Analysis, Calc.: C, 35.39; H, 1,27; N, 17.69.

Found: C, 35.59; H, 1.45; N, 17.77.

Those of the compounds to be employed as starting materials which are esters or ethers are prepared in conventional procedures for such derivatization of hydroxy compounds.

Most generally. the ester and ether derivatives are prepared by the reaction of the corresponding 1- hydroxy compounds:

I CF -R with a halide of the formula R"'X, where X is halo, in the presence of an alkali metal carbonate or other hydrogen halide acceptor. An inert liquid reaction medium can be used. The reaction proceeds under a wide range of temperatures, but is preferably conducted at temperatures of from -20C. to the reflux temperature.

Separation, and if desired, purification, are carried out in conventional procedures.

While the foregoing is the most general method, other methodsare convenient and may be preferred for some of the compounds. Thus, those carbamates of the formula or loweralkenyl are more readily prepared by reacting the corresponding l-hydroxy compound with an isocyanate. The reaction is conducted in conventional procedures. 1 i v Likewise, the carboxylic ester compounds of the present invention other than the carbamate esters are often preferably prepared by reacting the desired carboxylic acid as itsanhydride with the corresponding 1- hydroxy compound.

Furthermore, in the case of the present compounds which are ethers, preparation is sometimes preferably carried out by reaction of the l-hydroxy compound with an olefin or an alkyne. This is particularly preferred in the case of the tetrahydro-Z-pyranyl and vinyl ethers.

Yet other synthetic techniques can be 'used in the preparation of the compounds of the present invention; examples are the use of N,N'-carbonyldiimidazole or N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (See Reagents for 0rganic Synthesis, Fieser and Fieser (John Wiley and Sons, 1967), pages'l14 et seq. and 231 et seq., respectively).

I claim:

1. A process suitable for introducing chlorine or fluorine into a benzimidazole or imidazopyridine compound, which comprises reacting a first compound of one of the formulae wherein R represents hydrogen, chloro, fluoro, perfluoroalkyl of C -C or radical of the formula wherein x represents oxygen or sulfur; and one R represents phenyl, loweralkyl of C -C or loweralkenyl of C -C and the other R represents hydrogen, loweralkyl of C -C or lower alkenyl of C -C subject to the limitation that both R moieties taken together do not contain more than six carbon atoms; or both R" moieties taken together represent straight-chain alkylene of C -C both inelusive;

4. radical of the formula wherein R represents methylene, ethylene, or vinylene, and q represents 0 or 1;

5. SO R wherein R is loweralkyl as above defined, cycloalkyl of C -C phenyl, substituted phenyl as above defined, or benzyl; or

6. radical of the formulae of C -C or wherein X, as above, is oxygen or sulfur;

each R independently represents halo;

each R independently represents nitro, -CF CF2Cl, Or R represents cyano or loweralkylsulfonyl of C -C m represents an integer of from O to 3, both inclusive; n represents an integer of from 0 to 2, both inclusive; r represents 0 or 1; and the sum of m, n, and r is an integer of from 0 to 3, both inclusive; and

each R represents halogen, nitro, CF CF Cl, CF H, or loweralkylsulfonyl of C -C subject to the limitation that not more than one R represents nitro, -CF -CF Cl, --CF H, or loweralkylsulfonyl as defined;

with a nucleophilic reagent which is a compound which supplies chloride or fluoride.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein the first compound is l-methylcarbamoyloxy-6-chloro-2- (trifluoromethyl l l-l-imidazo)4,5-b )pyridine.

3. The process of claim 1 wherein the first compound is l-acetoxy-6-chloro-2-( trifluoromethyl)- l H-imidazo- (4,5-b)pyridine.

4. The process of claim 1 wherein the first compound is l-methylsulfonyloxy-6-chloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)- lH-imidazo(4,5-b)pyridine.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,375,175 DATED A il 1, 1975 iNVENTOR( 1 George G. P. ODOherty It is certified that error appears in the ab0ve-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 10, lines 35-60, should read Column 10, lines 60-65, should rea fi Column 13., lines 1-5, should read Page 2 PATENT NO. 5 875 175 DATED April 1, 1975 INVENTOR(S) George 0. P. O'Doherty It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column ll, lines 55-59, should read EWF Column 12, lines 12-15, should read Column 12, line 5 L, should read (trifluoromethyl)-1H- imidazo( r,5-b)pyridine Signed and Scaled this twen ty-second D 3) of July I 9 75 [SEAL] A trest:

RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks 

1. A PROCESS SUITABLE FOR INTRODUCING CHLORINE OR FLUORINE INTO A BENZIMIDAZOLE OR IMIDAZOPYRIDINE COMPOUND, WHICH COMPRISES REACTING A FIRST COMPOUND OF ONE OF THE FORMULAE
 1. ALKANOYL OF C2-C16;
 2. ALKENOYL OF C3-C16;
 2. alkenoyl of C3-C16;
 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the first compound is 1-methylcarbamoyloxy-6-chloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazo)4,5-b)pyridine.
 3. The process of claim 1 wherein the first compound is 1-acetoxy-6-chloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazo-(4,5-b)pyridine.
 3. carbamoyl of the formula
 3. CARBAMOYL OF THE FORMULA
 4. RADICAL OF THE FORMULA
 4. radical of the formula
 4. The process of claim 1 wherein the first compound is 1-methylsulfonyloxy-6-chloro-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazo(4,5-b)pyridine.
 5. -SO2-R9 wherein R9 is loweralkyl as above defined, cycloalkyl of C5-C6, phenyl, substituted phenyl as above defined, or benzyl; or
 6. radical of the formulae
 6. RADICAL OF THE FORMULAE 